Our service men and women do an outstanding job and we all owe them a debt of gratitude and a duty of care, particularly those who have developed health problems as a result of their military service.

The Government last week announced an expansion of NHS priority treatment for all Armed Forces veterans who experience injuries or ill-health suspected of being due to their service.

Under long-standing practice, war pensioners have had priority NHS access, but that has not always been fully understood. The Government wants to make sure that everyone understands the current provisions and expand the eligibility for priority.

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, also announced a new model of community mental health services for veterans.

The first of a number of community pilots specifically for veterans are being launched. The scheme is a recognition that some veterans will have mental health problems as a result of their work in the Armed Forces, and that we need to provide an expert service capable of understanding and responding to the particular problems that can result. The scheme is being piloted across six sites in the UK for two years.

On 3rd December Lewisham Council paid tribute to local soldiers who recently returned from active duty. The reception was held at the Civic Suite in Catford and was hosted by Lewisham Mayor, Steve Bullock, and the Boroughâ€™s Representative Deputy Lieutenant, Lt Colonel Conrad Graham.